Entertainment
The Written Xperience ft. Ambition The Poet
In the vibrant world of Music and poetry, few voices resonate as powerfully as Eric Bishop, better known as Ambition The Poet. Recently featured on _The Written Xperience_ powered by Politics & Poetry and Camden One, Ambition shared his compelling journey from foster care to becoming one of the hardest-working poets in the United States. This blog post explores his story, his unique perspective on poetry, and his dedication to uplifting fellow poets while illuminating the often-unspoken realities of foster care through his art.
Introduction to Ambition The Poet: The First Foster Care Poet
Charles Curtis III recently sat down with Ambition The Poet, describing him as “the hardest working man in poetry,” and it’s easy to see why. Ambition introduces himself as the first foster care poet in the history of the United States—not just a poet who experienced foster care, but someone who has built his brand and mission around raising awareness about the foster care system and its impact.
Ambition’s roots trace back to North Philadelphia, but his foster care journey took him to South Jersey, where he was eventually adopted at age 14. From there, he developed a voice that tells the story of pain, resilience, and identity shaped by his experiences in foster care.
The Intersection of Hip Hop, Poetry, and Foster Care
Ambition’s path to poetry wasn’t conventional. Unlike many poets who discover their craft through literature or formal education, his first exposure was through hip hop, especially artists like Biggie. His foster mother’s love for hip hop influenced him deeply, and he initially expressed his feelings through writing stories and rapping in middle school.
It wasn’t until adulthood that Ambition embraced poetry as his primary form of expression. He explains how the rhythm and storytelling of hip hop naturally transitioned into poetry, which became a way to communicate the pain and complexity of his foster care experience.
First Steps in the Poetry Scene
Ambition recalls his early days attending poetry open mics, particularly an event called _Breathe Love_ in Philadelphia. At first, he was too nervous to perform and spent his time observing others. This experience highlights a common challenge for emerging poets: breaking through the initial fear and finding their voice in live performance settings.
He emphasizes the importance of patience and observation when starting out, encouraging new poets to watch, listen, and gradually build confidence before stepping onto the stage.
Challenges of Being a Foster Child and a Poet
One of the major obstacles Ambition faced was explaining his foster care background to those unfamiliar with the system, especially in suburban areas like South Jersey, where conversations about foster children are rare. This disconnect made it difficult for him to articulate his story and find understanding among peers.
Ambition also shared candidly about his early attempts at slam poetry, which were initially unsuccessful. He was trying to impress with complex scientific themes but wasn’t connecting emotionally with the audience. A nephew’s advice to “tell the truth” about his own experiences became a turning point.
“We cannot run away from our stories that make us who we are. Without it, no one cares if you’re just talking about stuff that’s relevant to no one. They want to know your story and why you’re in front of them.”
This revelation helped Ambition embrace authenticity, which ultimately transformed his poetry and how audiences received him.
The Importance of Finding Your Tribe
Ambition stresses that poetry venues, like slam competitions and open mics, each have their own personalities and communities. Sometimes a poet might not fit into one scene but will thrive in another. This realization is crucial for artists to avoid discouragement and continue growing in environments that appreciate their unique voice.
He also shares his experience performing across the country, including colleges, festivals, and cities from California to the East Coast. His strategic approach to choosing venues and states to perform in is a vital lesson for poets seeking to expand their reach.
Favorite Poetry Scenes: Newark, Atlanta, and Baltimore
Ambition highlights three standout cities for poetry:
• Newark, New Jersey: Home to a government-supported poetry commission, Newark takes poetry seriously at an institutional level, something Ambition finds unparalleled.
• Atlanta, Georgia: Known for its vibrant poetry scene and camaraderie, Atlanta offers consistent events and a supportive community that many northern cities lack
• Baltimore, Maryland: Famous for its competitive slam teams, Baltimore is described as “hard body street busy,” fostering some of the toughest poetry competitions in the country.
These cities represent different facets of the poetry world, from government recognition to community support and competition intensity.
Poetry Coaching: Helping Others Find Their Voice
Two years ago, Ambition began poetry coaching, a venture born out of his desire to share knowledge that was often hard to find in the poetry community. He noticed many poets lacked guidance on how to navigate open mics, slams, and the poetry world in general.
Ambition’s coaching covers everything from selecting the right venues to understanding the best performance order and networking effectively. He works with clients across the country, helping them avoid common pitfalls and find their authentic voice.
“Sometimes you need a coach to guide you through a journey that you’re about to take when you really don’t understand where you’re about to go.”
His coaching emphasizes that poetry success is not just about writing but also about understanding the culture and business side of the art form.
The Reality of Being a Foster Care Poet in the Scene
Ambition candidly discusses the challenges of carving out space for foster care narratives in poetry. While themes like black love, erotica, and struggle are common, foster care is often overlooked or misunderstood.
He recalls performing in West Philly, where audiences were unfamiliar with his foster care focus, sometimes viewing him as an outsider. This underscores the broader challenge of educating audiences and peers about foster care’s impact.
Despite these challenges, Ambition remains committed to representing foster children and sharing their stories unapologetically.
Ambition’s Published Works: A Journey Through Foster Care and Dating
Ambition has published a series of books that chronicle his experiences and perspectives:
1. The Story of a Foster Child (Parts 1, 2, and 3): A three-part series exploring his feelings and life as a foster child, touching on themes like God, relationships, and identity.
2. The Foster Child’s Interview: A unique book framed as an interview where Ambition answers questions about foster care through poetry.
3. Dating with Foster Care in My Bags: His upcoming book, expected by September, delves into the complexities of dating while carrying the trauma and baggage of foster care.
This last book is particularly groundbreaking as it addresses the intersection of foster care trauma and romantic relationships, a topic rarely explored in poetry.
Dating with Foster Care in My Bags: Exploring Love and Trauma
Ambition describes how his dating experiences are influenced by the trauma he carries from foster care. The book includes raw, honest poems about intimacy, trust issues, and the struggle to believe in love despite past abandonment.
He shares how this work resonates especially with black women who have supported him throughout his career, appreciating his vulnerability and authenticity.
The book rollout will include talks and sessions to deepen understanding of these complex issues, emphasizing mental health and trust within the black community.
The Evolution of the Poetry Scene and Social Media’s Impact
Ambition reflects on how the poetry scene has evolved since he started. Initially, poets had to “put in work” at open mics to build credibility and presence. Today, viral videos and social media platforms can catapult poets to fame more quickly.
However, this comes with a shift in focus toward aesthetics, presentation, and branding. Ambition notes that poets now often arrive at events with teams, photographers, and security, highlighting that being an artist is no longer just about the words but the entire persona.
He also distinguishes between authentic poets who live their craft and “business poets” who may perform for commercial gain but lack genuine connection to their art.
Words of Encouragement for Foster Kids and Emerging Poets
In closing, Ambition offers heartfelt advice to foster children and poets:
• To Foster Children: Understand it is not your fault you are in foster care. The circumstances stem from decisions made by previous generations, not your own actions. Surround yourself with positive influences and believe in your unique gifts and potential.
• To Poets: Don’t be discouraged by initial rejection or lack of recognition. Open mics are platforms for growth, not gatekeepers of success. Be consistent, authentic, and expand your reach beyond local venues to networking events, political gatherings, and other spaces.
Ambition’s message is one of resilience, authenticity, and the power of storytelling to connect and heal.
“God made something inside of you that only you can reach the person you can talk to. No matter how hard I try to talk to somebody from Camden, Charles may be the only way they can hear that message. I can’t reach them. You can.”
Where to Find Ambition The Poet
Ambition The Poet is active online and welcomes connection with fellow poets and supporters. You can find him at:
• Website: ambitionthepoet.com
• Instagram & Facebook: @ambitionthepoet
Ambition The Poet’s story is a testament to the transformative power of poetry within the music and arts community. From overcoming the challenges of foster care to redefining what it means to be a poet today, his journey offers inspiration for artists and foster youth alike.
By embracing authenticity, seeking community, and sharing his truth, Ambition not only uplifts himself but also provides a voice for those whose stories often go unheard. His upcoming book, _Dating with Foster Care in My Bags_, promises to deepen this dialogue and expand the reach of poetry as a tool for healing and connection.
